No matter how good the current buying market is, the bank isn't going to lend to you so you can "speculate", which is what you'd be doing.

Mailing to the attorney is not a requirement at all in my opinion.Once "Letters testamentary" are issued then the bank accounts and assets will be "unfrozen" so to speak.

One does a 85% first, will allow the seller to hold 10% 2nd and you can put down 5%.Have you spoke to any local banks?

We want to make a cash offer, should we contact the bank directly?

That's a perfectly reasonable strategy...Imagine this hypothetical scenario, with hypothetical but completely reasonable numbers where I live (suburbs of Atlanta):You find a bank owned property in typical area listed for sale at around $82,000.

So it is just a return to a saner banking climate.

You may want to speak to local banks where you are located.

You could probably pick some of them up at some good prices.I just read about a guy in my state that is getting hammered with tax evasion, trying to move the properties around between multiple entities to keep the IRS and the banks from getting at them.

This has always seemed like the safe way to do it but is it the smart way.Should I be using more bank money instead of my own by putting less down of my cash?

Hello I was listening to Robert Kiyosaki and he was talking about holding on to property for cash flow and if the property value increases he would simply go to the bank an refinance.